Like all other forms of cancer, skin cancer is a scary thought.
However, there are many obvious defenses you take against the dangers
of skin cancer. The development of skin cancer may take many years and
it may be a long time before the cancerous cells cause any significant
damage, yet there is no better time to begin protecting yourself than
the present. If you have very fair skin or have a history of skin
cancer in your family it is of particular importance that you be
cautious as you are more susceptible to the dangers posed by sun
exposure.
While tanning out in the sun on a hot day can be quite relaxing, it can
also be a potential invitation for cancerous cells. Thus minimizing
your exposure to the sun during the time of day when the sun's ray are
the most intense, being 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is highly advised. If you
cannot avoid being in the sun for an extended period of time then you
should apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 to
all areas of the body visible to the sun. Be sure to reapply every so
often as well. Being sure to wear clothing that properly protects areas
of the body that have been burned in previous years is advisable as
well.
If you attend tanning parlors frequently you are also increasing your
risk of developing skin cancer. Though the ultraviolet light emitted by
a tanning bed is essentially artificial, it is no less dangerous than
the light emitted by the sun. If anything the direct exposure received
in a tanning bed has the potential to become more dangerous, especially
since one can attend tanning parlors all year round. It is also vitally
important for children to be especially well protected from the sun, as
they are more susceptible to skin damage from ultraviolet light.
